Strand treatment apparatus

ABSTRACT

Textile strands are compressively crimped by propelling them lengthwise by a fluid jet into buckling contact with crimped strand accumulated in a rotatable chamber preferably having a foraminous cylindrical strand-supporting surface. The jet preferably has a bore-defining body portion deviating from a straight-through bore, whereby the starting strand is propelled into the chamber and then substantially parallel to a wall of the chamber at a locus of contact where the strand buckles into crimped configuration against the trailing edge of the strand accumulation thereon. Crimped strand itself accumulates and is supported temporarily on the concave surface and is withdrawn therefrom at the leading edge of the strand accumulation as the chamber rotates.

United States Patent [1 1 Stanley Dec. 9, 1975 1 1 STRAND TREATMENT APPARATUS Robert K. Stanley, Media, Pa.

[60] Division of Ser. No. 109,204, Jan. 25, 1971, abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 58,917, July 28, 1970, abandoned.

[75] Inventor:

[52] US. Cl. 28/l.6; 28/7214; 226/118 [51] Int. Cl. D02G 1/12 [58] Field of Search 28/1.4, 1.6.21, 72.12,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,296,476 3/1919 Burnett 226/118 1,732,526 10/1929 Mumford 57/77 1,779,313 10/1930 Hegan et al.... 57/76 X 1,988,490 1/1935 Harrison 57/77 1,990,617 2/1935 Sanders et a1. 57/76 X 2,042,529 6/1936 l-luttinger 57/76 X 2,198,962 4/1940 Eisenhut et a1. 27/1.6 UX 2,435,891 2/1948 Lodge 28/72.12 X

3,143,784 8/1964 Scott 28/72.12 3,146,512 9/1964 Heijnis 28/1.6 3,156,028 11/1964 Weiss et a1 28/72.12

I l7 1 l 1 3,212,157 10/1965 Mattingly 28/1.6 3,221,385 12/1965 Stanley 28/72.14 X 3,343,240 9/1967 Parmeggiani et a1. 28/72.14 X

3,438,101 4/1969 Le Noir et al. 28/72.14 X 3,601,326 8/1971 Gordon 242/163 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 20,597 1/1961 Germany 28/l.6

282,546 2/1931 ltaly 57/77 536,796 12/1955 Italy 57/76 Primary ExaminerRobert R. Mackey Attorney, Agent, or FirmCharles A. McClure [57] ABSTRACT Textile strands are compressively crimped by propelling them lengthwise by a fluid jet into buckling contact with crimped strand accumulated in a rotatable chamber preferably having a foraminous cylindrical strand-supporting surface. The jet preferably has a bore-defining body portion deviating from a straightthrough bore, whereby the starting strand is propelled into the chamber and then substantially parallel to a wall of the chamber at a locus of contact where the strand buckles into crimped configuration against the trailing edge of the strand accumulation thereon. Crimped strand itself accumulates and is supported temporarily on the concave surface and is withdrawn therefrom at the leading edge of the strand accumulation as the chamber rotates.

5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures US. Patent Dec. 9 1975 STRAND TREATMENT APPARATUS This is a division of my copending application, Ser. No. 109,204 filed Jan. 25, 1971, now abandoned, which was a continuation-in-part of my prior application, Ser. No. 58,917 filed July 28, 1970 (and since abandoned).

This invention relates to apparatus for treatment of textile strands, as by propelling such a strand lengthwise against strand already accumulated on strand-supporting means and thereby causing the strand to buckle into crimped configuration.

In conventional techniques for compressive crimping of textile strands such a strand to be crimped usually is forced lengthwise into one end of a tubular enclosure by feed rolls, although sometimes by fluid transport, to buckle as it then comes into contact with an accumulation of the same strand previously forced thereinto, after which the crimped strand is withdrawn from the leading edge of the strand accumulation by being wound up out of the opposite end of the enclosure. Such technique suffers from throughput limitations, and the parts of the strand that slide along the enclosure wall often exhibit different physical characteristics, such as a noticeable dyeability differential, as compared with the rest of the crimped strand. It is also known to propel strands against a foraminous barrier or screen to compress them longitudinally, but such impact is deleterious to strand components, being conducive to breaking thereof. Also, openings in such screens or barriers tend to snag fine filaments or fibrils and fill up with particulate matter.

A primary object of the present invention is enhanced uniformity of treatment in compressive crimping of textile strands.

Another object is compressive crimping of textile strands so as to reduce physical degradation thereof attributable to propulsion, impact, or other handling.

A further object is provision of apparatus for accomplishing the foregoing objects.

Other objects of the invention, together with means and methods for attaining the various objects, will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying diagrams.

FIG. 1 is a front elevation, partly diagrammatic, of apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section through an apparatus component of FIG. 1 (with strand therein);

FIG. 3 is a plan view, partly sectioned and cut away, of another apparatus component (with strand therein) taken at line IIIIII on FIG. 1; and 7 FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the apparatus component shown in FIG. 3 taken at line IVIV on FIG. 1.

In general, the objects of the present invention are accomplished, in apparatus for treating textile strands to impart a crimped configuration thereto, by means of a jet device for propelling a crimpable textile strand continuously against' an accumulation of crimped strand in a rotatable chamber having a concave strandsupporting surface to buckle into crimped configuration and accumulate temporarily supported thereon. The rotatable chamber preferably is in the form of a shallow cylinder having a foraminous cylindrical wall and having end walls spaced apart the width of the cylindrical wall, at least one end wall being open along the axis of the cylinder, and at least one wall having means thereon for rotation of the chamber about the axis. The jet device, which has a bore for passage of textile strand therethrough, preferably has a boredefining body portion deviating from a straightthrough bore configuration.

FIG. 1 shows, partly in elevation and partly schematically, a frame of apparatus useful according to this invention, supporting various components and with path 15 of strand 11 being treated thereby indicated in broken lines. The strand is withdrawn from package 12 thereof on a support at one end of the frame. The strand passes in sequence through guide 13, around idler roll 14, and through the successive nips of metering rolls 17, 17' and 18, 18'. Rolls 17 and 18 are driven by belts 7 and 8 from pulleys (not shown) on shaft 9 of motor 10. From the final roll nip the strand passes via guide 19 to jet 20, shown in greater detail in the next view. The jet is supplied with propulsion fluid, as by pump 5, by way of interconnecting rigid and flexible lines designated generally as 6 and provided with pressure gauge 4.

FIG. 2 shows jet 20 on an enlarged scale and sectioned axially lengthwise. The jet has main inlet tube 21, branch inlet tube 22 (shown at an acute angle thereto) threaded at the end, and hardened insert tube 27 extending into the branch tube and retained therein by cap 24 threaded onto the end of that branch tube. Junction tube 23 joins both inlet tubes and terminates in curved outlet end 25. Fluid (indicated by the arrow) enters the main inlet tube and propels strand 11 from the branch inlet tube through the junction tube and the outlet end. As shown in the next view, the outlet end is substantially parallel to wall 33 of cylindrical chamber 30 at the locus thereon where the exiting strand impinges forcibly against strand accumulation already supported thereby.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show cylindrical chamber 30, enlarged in scale as compared with FIG. 1, in plan (partly cut away) and sectional elevation, respectively. Vertical shaft 31 supports the chamber, being affixed to the lower end or bottom wall 32 thereof. Foraminous cylindrical wall 33 joins the peripheral edge of the bottom wall and the peripheral edge of the upper end or top wall 34, which has central opening 35 therein. Junction tube 23 of jet 20 extends into the shallow cylindrical chamber through the central opening in the top wall, and outlet end 25 thereof lies under the edge of that top wall and along screenlike cylindrical wall 33. Crimped strand accumulation 11' (so designated to distinguish it from original strand, 11) lies against the screenlike foraminous wall and between the adjoining portions of the top and bottom walls of the shallow chamber.

As shown in FIG. 1, cylindrical chamber 30 is rotated by shaft 31 by bevel gearing 39 (only fragmentarily indicated) driven through belt 37 from a drive pulley. Crimped strand 11" (so designated to distinguish it from accumulation 11 thereof in the rotating chamber, as well as from the original strand) is withdrawn through central opening 35 in the top wall and passes about guide 41 and through stabilization chamber 40, which has entrance and exit openings to accommodate it. From the stabilization chamber it proceeds through guide 42, over windup roll 43, which may be slotted appropriately to traverse the strand, and onto package 44 carried on swing arm 45. The swing arm is biased from an alternative (shown in phantom) oblique position, useful for package removal, against stop 46 by weight 47 suspended on cable 48 passing over pulley 49 3 shown).

Operation of the described and illustrated apparatus to practice the process of this invention is readily understood. The strand is withdrawn from the package or other suitable source by the metering rolls and forwarded thereby to the fluid jet. Suitable propulsion fluid, such as air compressed from the atmosphere, propels the strand through the jet and against strand accumulation supported on the concave interior surface of the screenlike foraminous wall of the cylindrical chamber, the fluid dissipating principally through the apertures therein. The forcible impact of the strand so propelled causes it to buckle into crimped configuration. The crimped strand accumulation lies in the channel formed by the top and bottom walls of the shallow cylindrical chamber and against the rotating cylindrical wall, where it is retained at least in part by centrifugal force.

Inasmuch as the jet is fixed in position and the chamber is rotating continuously, the accumulating crimped strand does not pile up on itself but progresses therealong counter to the direction of rotation. The locus of impact of the strand is always at the trailing edge of such accumulation, while the leading edge thereof is approximately a half circle away, where crimped strand is withdrawn from the accumulation thereof. The windup roll withdraws the crimped strand out from underthe overhanging top wall of the chamber, the locus of withdrawal being determined by the ratio of withdrawal to rotational speed and the ratio of withdrawal speed to the speed at which the untreated strand is metered into the crimping zone, as well as by the crimping characteristics of the strand material and also the fluid pressure and flow rate and volume.

The various speed ratios normally are maintained fixed, as suggested by the drive belts shown on a common drive pulley, but suitable provision for adjusting such ratios as may be desirable is readily available in the form of continuously variable drive linkages as well as stepwise variable pairs of pulleys, etc. Of course, the speed at which the strand issues from the outlet end of the jet is considerably greater than the rotational speed of the screen at the locus of impact of the issuing strand against the existing strand accumulation, such as at least twice and preferably several times as great. The crimping itself reduces the effective overall length of the strand by a minor fraction in the range of at least about one tenth but less than five tenths, usually between two and three tenths. The windup speed is accordingly less than the supply (or propulsion) speed. The residual excess of supply speed over screen speed causes the strand to accumulate in the illustrated serpentine folds along the screen.

it will be understood that the strand to be treated, although perhaps most likely uncrimped, may have been crimped previously by any suitable method, whereupon the present treatment would superimpose a second crimp upon the first. For example, the strand may have been crimped previously by a twist (or falsetwist) method and then be compressively crimped hereby, as suggested with illustration and description together with a conventional compressive or stuffercrimping operation in my U.S. Pat. No. 2,972,798.

If of drawable composition, the strand often will have been drawn quite some time before being crimped. However, a drawing step may be performed immediately before crimping, as suggested with illustration and description of a conventional compressive or stuffercrimping operation in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,462,814, which lists many drawable strand compositions suited to drawcrimping operation. The strand may even be taken directly from extrusion to drawing and crimping, as suggested with illustration and description of a conventional stuffer-crimping operation in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,499,953. Draw-crimping according to the present invention is readily accomplished by driving the second set of metering rolls (18, 18') at a sufficiently higher surface speed than the first set (l7, 17'), as in a ratio of 4:1, for example.

Thermoplastic textile strands usually may be drawn or crimped (or both) more readily by heating thereof before or at the time of assuming drawn or crimped configuration, as indicated in my aforementioned patents. When draw-crimped, the strand preferably is not allowed to cool intermediately but is maintained at temperature conducive to crimping. Preheating to reach (or continued heating to maintain) a desired strand-treating temperature is readily accomplished. The propulsion fluid used in the jet may be hot air or steam, for example, so as to heat the strand passing therethrough. The strand may be heated similarly by an auxiliary hot fluid applied to the strand after contact with an unheated propulsion fluid. Radiant heating of the strand may be provided between the jet and the shallow cylindrical chamber. Such heating techniques are used especially in the treatment of strands composed of relatively thermal-resistant materials, e.g., glass filaments.

Stabilizing the strand in its acquired configuration, as in the mentioned stabilization chamber, also customarily involves heat and may involve hot rolls, radiant heating, or treatment with hot fluid (which may be supplied from the same source as the propulsion fluid, if desired), moist or dry, and may involve tension application. See, for example, the heatrelaxation disclosed in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,221,385, and as augmented by a cooling aftertreatment in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,561,082. Selection of suitable heating means, whether for pretreatment or posttreatment (or both) is well within the ability of persons ordinarily skilled in the art, and no such heating means is illustrated or further described here.

The present invention is adapted to operation at high speeds, such as upwards of a thousand yards or meters per minute. Such speeds are more readily attainable than in conventional stuffer-box types of compressive crimping because of the readier entry and exit of the strand from the shallow cylindrical chamber disclosed here than possible in the more complete enclosure customarily employed. The resulting crimp level is very even, and no undesirable crimp diminution occurs during windup, which is readily accomplished at relatively low tension.

Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, modifications may be made therein, as by addition, combination, or subdividion of parts or steps, or substitution of equivalents, while retaining all or some of the advantages and benefits of the invention, which itself is defined in the following claims.

1 claim:

1. In apparatus for treating textile strands, the improvement comprising a strand-propelling jet device having a bore for passage of textile strand therethrough, having an inlet end for admitting fluid to propel the strand, and having a curved outlet end for both strand and fluid and thereby deviating from a straightthrough bore configuration, in combination with a cylindrical chamber for receiving and supporting textile strand, the chamber having a foraminous cylindrical wall and having end walls, one end wall being open centrally along the axis of the cylinder and thereby accommodating the jet device positioned with its outlet end between the end walls and fixed substantially parallel thereto and to the cylindrical wall.

2. Strand-treating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the chamber is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis, and the outlet of the jet device is oriented horizontally.

3. Strand-treating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the inlet of the jet device is located outside the chamber.

4. In apparatus for treating textile strands, a rotatable cylindrical chamber for receiving textile strand and retaining it temporarily, a strand-propelling jet device located to deliver a textile strand circumferentially into the chamber, and means for rotating the chamber about its cylinder axis and relative to the jet device, wherein the jet has a bore for passage of textile strand therethrough, an exterior inlet end for the strand and an opening into the bore for admitting fluid to propel the strand, and an interior outlet end for both strand and fluid, and wherein the outlet end is oriented substantially parallel to and spaced from the cylindrical wall of the chamber.

5. Strand-treating apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the chamber has a foraminous cylindrical wall and at least partial end walls contiguous therewith and spaced thereby substantially parallel to one another, and the outlet of the jet device is oriented substantially parallel to the end walls also. 

1. In apparatus for treating textile strands, the improvement comprising a strand-propelling jet device having a bore for passage of textile strand therethrough, having an inlet end for admitting fluid to propel the strand, and having a curved outlet end for both strand and fluid and thereby deviating from a straight-through bore configuration, in Combination with a cylindrical chamber for receiving and supporting textile strand, the chamber having a foraminous cylindrical wall and having end walls, one end wall being open centrally along the axis of the cylinder and thereby accommodating the jet device positioned with its outlet end between the end walls and fixed substantially parallel thereto and to the cylindrical wall.
 2. Strand-treating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the chamber is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis, and the outlet of the jet device is oriented horizontally.
 3. Strand-treating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the inlet of the jet device is located outside the chamber.
 4. In apparatus for treating textile strands, a rotatable cylindrical chamber for receiving textile strand and retaining it temporarily, a strand-propelling jet device located to deliver a textile strand circumferentially into the chamber, and means for rotating the chamber about its cylinder axis and relative to the jet device, wherein the jet has a bore for passage of textile strand therethrough, an exterior inlet end for the strand and an opening into the bore for admitting fluid to propel the strand, and an interior outlet end for both strand and fluid, and wherein the outlet end is oriented substantially parallel to and spaced from the cylindrical wall of the chamber.
 5. Strand-treating apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the chamber has a foraminous cylindrical wall and at least partial end walls contiguous therewith and spaced thereby substantially parallel to one another, and the outlet of the jet device is oriented substantially parallel to the end walls also. 